There’s something pretty magical happening right now at Franklin Park Conservatory, and it’s not your typical spring bloom. Tucked inside the Desert Biome, a century plant is putting on a once-in-a-lifetime show.
The century plant, also known as Agave americana, doesn’t actually take 100 years to bloom. Its lifespan is usually closer to 10 to 30 years. But when it finally decides it’s time, it goes all out.
Right now, the plant is in the early stages of what’s often called a “death bloom.” A massive flower spike is shooting up from the center, and it’s growing fast. We’re talking inches per day. Eventually, that stalk can reach anywhere from 30 to more than 50 feet tall before it begins to flower.
Once it hits its full height, the blooms themselves will appear and stick around for a short window, usually a couple of weeks to about a month. It’s brief, dramatic, and not something you get to see twice from the same plant.
As the stalk stretches upward, it has a surprisingly familiar look.
If you’re thinking it resembles a giant asparagus spear, you’re not wrong.
Agave americana is actually part of the asparagus family, which makes the resemblance a little less random and a lot more fun to point out when you’re standing there staring up at it.
This bloom is the grand finale for the century plant. After spending years slowly growing, it pours all of its energy into this one towering display. Once the flowering process wraps up, the main plant will begin to decline.
Before it goes, the plant produces offsets, often called “pups,” which will continue growing and carry on the next generation. It’s a dramatic exit, but also a fresh start.
Moments like this don’t come around often.
The conservatory noted that the last time an agave bloomed there was back in 1982. That makes this a pretty rare chance to catch a unique stage in a plant’s life cycle without leaving Columbus.
The bloom is already underway, and over the next several weeks, visitors will be able to watch the transformation as the stalk climbs higher and eventually bursts into flowers.
If you’re looking for an excuse to stop by the conservatory, this is a good one. The timeline is short, the plant is putting on a full spectacle, and once it’s done, it’s done.
It’s not every day you get to see a plant spend decades preparing for one final moment.
